Gene therapy liver biopsy study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Liver Biopsy for Gene Therapy in Haemophilia B

  • IRAS ID

    234999

  • Contact name

    Amit Nathwani

  • Contact email

    a.nathwani@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University College London (UCL)

  • Eudract number

    2018-001333-40

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 2 days

  • Research summary

    Participants in the AGT4HB study received a single infusion of a modified virus containing a gene for factor IX, a protein that allows the blood to form clots that is present in very low levels in severe haemophilia B, allowing them to produce the missing protein in their livers. Participants in the trial have continued to produce factor IX for an extended period of time, raising the question of whether the virus is present in the liver cells or whether the gene has in fact been integrated into the patient's DNA. This question is of crucial importance in understanding the risks and benefits of gene therapy in haemophilia and we are aiming to collect biopsy samples from the participants of the original AGT4HB and also the GO-8 study. Participants in the GO-8 study receive a single infusion of a modified virus containing a gene for factor VIII, another protein that allows the blood to form clots that is present in very low levels in severe haemophilia A, allowing them to produce the missing protein in their livers.

  • REC name

    London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/1487

  • Date of REC Opinion

    29 Oct 2018

  • REC opinion

    Unfavourable Opinion